Aspects of American Counterculture in Tennessee Williams’ Camino Real (1953) and Suddenly Last Summer (1958)

Abstract

This dissertation deals with the issue of American counterculture in Tennessee Williams plays ‘Camino Real (1953) and Suddenly Last Summer (1958). Our main interest in this research paper is to depict the aspects of American counterculture in the selected plays. Therefore, we have borrowed some concepts of New Historicism. Throughout our study of the two works, we have reached the conclusion that, Williams is regarded as an avant gardist of American Counterculture which has its roots from the fifties. Our discussion is divided into three chapters. The first chapter explores the American cultural non conformism, whereas the second chapter is devoted to a tribute to two American historical figures. The third one tackles the psychological trauma of the main characters in both plays which reflects the psychological side of Americans of the fifties and sixties.